Time-out for parents of a survivor

Childhood Cancer Switzerland organised a professionally supervised weekend for parents of a survivor with late effects at Hünigen Castle in Konolfingen from 8 to 9 November 2024. This important event takes place every year and enables affected mothers and fathers to address the late effects of the disease and their child’s therapies, their fears and worries, even years after the treatment phase.

Important medical and psychosocial issues relating to late effects and follow-up care as well as social security issues were given professional attention thanks to the involvement of experts in the field, such as Prof. Katrin Scheinemann MD, psycho-oncologist Andreas Dörner, the Head of Legal Services at Procap, Irja Zuber, as well as Zuzana Tomášiková, Head of the Survivors’ Centre at Childhood Cancer Switzerland. The two-day workshop gave those attending ample opportunity to gather information, share experiences and talk about their own emotional and financial burdens in a safe environment. With this special range of topic-specific workshops, Childhood Cancer Switzerland creates valuable meeting spaces in the area of self-help and follow-up care. These not only provide parents with professional support, but also promote a helpful exchange of experiences between those affected.